Summary: When OpenAI launched its new video generator, Sora 2, some AI-generated videos featuring Bryan Cranston’s likeness and voice raised concerns for the actor and his representatives. After initially expressing strong reservations and contacting SAG-AFTRA, Cranston has since praised OpenAI for improving its policies and guardrails around the use of performers’ likenesses. OpenAI and major talent agencies have released joint statements addressing these issues, and CEO Sam Altman has outlined plans for more granular control and potential revenue sharing with rightsholders.
Bryan Cranston’s Initial Concerns About Sora 2
When OpenAI began the limited public release of its new video generator, Sora 2, on September 30, some unsettling AI-generated videos featuring Bryan Cranston—often portraying his iconic character Walter White from Breaking Bad—started circulating online. Cranston reportedly found these videos disturbing enough to contact his union, SAG-AFTRA, to express his concerns.
Controversial AI-Generated Videos Featuring Cranston
Among the videos that likely caught Cranston’s attention was one set in a strip mall parking lot where Cranston (as Walter White) and the late pop star Michael Jackson announce to Jackson’s vlog viewers that they’ve been spending time together.
Another notable example is a fan-made parody music video placing Cranston and the core Breaking Bad cast in a Vietnam War setting:
Breaking Bad – I Am The Napalm (Parody Music Video)
#ai #breakingbad #Memes #sora #sora2
Agency’s Strong Statement on Creators’ Rights
On October 8, Cranston’s agency released a firm statement questioning OpenAI’s approach to creators’ rights:
“Does OpenAI and its partner companies believe that humans, writers, artists, actors, directors, producers, musicians, and athletes deserve to be compensated and credited for the work they create? Or does OpenAI believe they can just steal it, disregarding global copyright principles and blatantly dismissing creators’ rights, as well as the many people and companies who fund the production, creation, and publication of these humans’ work?”
OpenAI’s Response and Improved Policies
However, by October 9, Cranston publicly expressed gratitude toward OpenAI for addressing his concerns. He stated he was “grateful to OpenAI for its policy and for improving its guardrails.” This shift came after OpenAI strengthened its safeguards around replicating voice and likeness for individuals who have not opted in.
Joint Statement from SAG-AFTRA and Agencies
According to Deadline, SAG-AFTRA, OpenAI, the Association of Talent Agents, United Talent Agency, and Creative Artists Agency issued a joint statement acknowledging the issue:
“While from the start it was OpenAI’s policy to require opt-in for the use of voice and likeness, OpenAI expressed regret for these unintentional generations. OpenAI has strengthened guardrails around replication of voice and likeness when individuals do not opt-in.”
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Comments on Copyright and Monetization
Before the agencies’ statement, on October 3, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the copyright concerns in a blog post. He explained that OpenAI plans to give rightsholders more granular control over character generation, similar to the opt-in model for likeness, but with additional controls. Altman also mentioned exploring revenue sharing with rightsholders who want their characters generated by users.
Altman wrote, “We are going to try sharing some of this revenue with rightsholders who want their characters generated by users.” He also acknowledged the need for OpenAI to monetize video generation technology.
We have reached out to OpenAI for clarification on the timeline of the Sora 2 copyright policy and will update this article if we receive a response.